University Attending Veterinarian

Dr. Kelsey Finnie, DVM serves as UTK’s University Attending Veterinarian. The University Attending Veterinarian, in collaboration with the Institutional Official and the IACUC, is responsible for UTK’s animal care and use program. This program conforms to current veterinary medical standards, as well as applicable federal regulations and standards.

Roles and Responsibilities

The University Attending Veterinarian is responsible for the well-being and clinical care of all animals used in research, teaching, and production. This responsibility extends to monitoring and promoting animal well-being at all times during animal use, and during all phases of the animal’s life. It’s expected that the program of veterinary care will uphold the highest standards of care and ethics. There must be timely provision of veterinary medical care, and emergency veterinary care must be available at all times, including after work hours and on weekends and holidays.

The goal, broadly stated, is to:

• Support animal research — the scientific study of animals for the purpose of gaining new biological knowledge or solving specific medical, veterinary medical, agricultural, dental, or biological problems; and
• Advocate for animals — through the application of veterinary medicine and animal science. This includes the acquisition of research animals, their management, nutrition, breeding, disease treatment, and mitigation of pain and distress.

The Attending Veterinarian has authority, delegated by the institution, to treat animals and institute appropriate measures to relieve pain and distress. In fulfilling these duties in a research environment, the Attending Veterinarian interacts collaboratively with the research team (i.e., the principal investigators and facility managers) when making critical decisions regarding animal health and welfare.

As University Attending Veterinarian, Dr. Kelsey Finnie consults with investigators on the planning and implementation of animal activities — serving as a voting member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Dr. Finnie works with veterinary specialists and private practitioners across campus and the state to coordinate the clinical, surgical and preventative care of the university’s animal resources in accordance with current veterinary medical standards, as well as applicable federal regulations and standards.

Role of the IACUC

• There is regular communication between the University Attending Veterinarian and the IACUC. The Attending Veterinarian regularly and clearly communicates animal care and use program needs to the Institutional Official.
• As a voting member of the IACUC, the Attending Veterinarian provides input during protocol review, including the development of study removal criteria and the responsible conduct of research activities.
• The IACUC, in association with the Attending Veterinarian, has the responsibility for determining that personnel performing surgical procedures are appropriately qualified and trained in the procedures to be performed.

Together, the IACUC and the Attending Veterinarian oversee the Animal Care and Use Program. This program ensures UTK’s animal research and teaching is conducted in a manner that is ethical, compliant, and consistent with the highest standards of integrity.

To learn more about the importance of attending veterinarians, visit the USDA (Attending Veterinarians | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) or read AAALAC’s position statement (Position Statements – AAALAC).

Authority

The University Attending Veterinarian must have access to all animals, visiting the facilities as often as needed to ensure animals are receiving adequate care. Visits occur at least annually for USDA-covered facilities with dogs.

For noncentralized UTK locations (e.g., agriculture facilities), there must be a designated person who is responsible for daily animal care and use and facility management.

The Attending Veterinarian maintains a record of all veterinarians who provide care to UTK animals. The Attending Veterinarian should be made aware of any outside veterinarians who provide care at off-campus units.

The Attending Veterinarian has oversight of aspects of the veterinary care program such as preventative medicine and health surveillance; medical treatment; the establishment of sedation, anesthetic and analgesic guidelines; handling; and immobilization — and has oversight of other related aspects, such as housing and husbandry.

Every unit must have SOPs that have been reviewed and approved by the University Attending Veterinarian.

Delegation

The University Attending Veterinarian has direct authority as appointed by the University and is the regulatory authority that oversees all veterinary care for all research and teaching animals under UTK’s jurisdiction. This authority can be delegated to other veterinarians who provide care for animals involved in teaching, research, and production. Veterinarians with delegated authority are expected to communicate their care plans and outcomes to the Attending Veterinarian to facilitate regulatory compliance and ensure animal health, well-being, and the provisions of the animal care program are met. 

Meet the University Attending Veterinarian

Dr. Kelsey Finnie, DVM, DACLAM was named UTK’s University Attending  Veterinarian in October 2024, after serving as a Clinical Veterinarian at UTK since July 2020.

The University Attending Veterinarian must have access to all animals, visiting the facilities as often as needed to ensure animals are receiving adequate care. Visits occur at least annually for USDA-covered facilities with dogs.